Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-14
REFORMS PROPOSED.
MR.. BLAND GIVES HIS vIEws on TaR
COMMITTEES REPORT.
Policemen who Are Rot Policemen-Psy
for Wants the city's
Books Examined.


Retrenchment and Reform, Mr. Bland,
Was found hard at work in his black
smith shop yesterday by a Dispotch
representative, and was asked about the
rport proposing changes in the sala-
ries Of certain servants of the city
government presented to the Board OF
Aldermen the day before. Mr.. Bland
talked freely and sensibly about the
propositions made, but he had no idea,
he said, that all Of them would be
adopted. He thought, however, they
ought 10 he.
"Wby," be exclaimed, MS he plunged
n pair Of tongs holding piece of red
hot iron into a barrel of water, "the
question Of increasing the police force
has been often agitated, and it may
need reinforcing, but it Is certainly not
oxpedient to employ more men when
five OF the regular force are detailed
for other duties.
"1o whom do you refer ?" asked the
reporter.
80 refer to, in the first place, the
policeman who clerks for the Chief
Of Police to the policeman who is de
tailed as crier at the Police COurt, and
to the three policemen who are cOnsti-
tuted sanitary inspectors. All these
men should legitimately be on the same
footing as the other members of the
force.
Speaking about the clerk of the
Chief Of Police" Mr. Bland continued,
"our committee couldn't see that the
Chief needed clerk. If he does he
should baye one--not n policeman,
however-but the truth of the matter
is We were unnble to find out what the
Chief received 81 500 a year for doing {;
so We recommended a reduction 10
800.
EQUITY.
"Whlle We think the salaries of some
should be increased there are others
that ought to be reduced. Now, there 8
Ned Bates, Assistant City Engineer.
He works very bard, and we thought
81. SEQ would not be too much pay :;
while Sl25 per month to the fourth
assistant we considered a little too
much compared with the others"
POMCEMEN's CLOTHES.
"What about this item of pay to
policemen for damaged clothing :"
"1hat should be allowed, answered
Mr.. Bland. "When n man enters the
torcc he has to buy a new suit Of
clothes, and if in the discharge OF his
duty lie gets it damaged or ruined, as
is often the case, he should be re-
imbursCd.
COyNCUMEN's PAY.
GAS to paying councilmcn for their
services, that is just; but | am in IA
vor, though it is not recommended in
cur report, OF decreasing the represen-
tation OF the wards. Three common
councilmen instead of five, and one or
two aldermen instead Of three would
be a plenty. If | were not short
term alderman / would not recommend
that councilmcn be salaried. Two
hundred dollars apiece annually would
be fair and then n pr1-rdia part Of
this would be deducted when members
failed 10 attend Council or committee
meetings unless valid excuse were
given.
SUSPECTS CIOOEEDNESs.
"What do You want with account
ants to examine the books and papers
in the city ofliccs?"
"Well, Ill tell you. The books in
The Offices of the city, reckon, haven't
been examined for twenty years. They
may be all right, but we don't know
that they are, and they ought to be eX-
amined, especially ii you have reason
TO believe there is crookcdness in some
places"
"What places?"
ooh, well, Pm talking to newspa
per man, and / must be careful but
wait TIL the report is taken up 70, con-
sidcration then you shall hear
The reporter then withdrew.
A rough estimate of the cost of
adopting the committees report was
Yesterday made, and it was found that
the city's expenses would le increased
O,CO0 or more annually.